Post by Jesse Morrell on Jul 27, 2006 15:54:52 GMT -5
BANNER & SIGN EVANGELISM
A defense of using banners in open air preaching
Out of fear of being “too radical” I believe that we as Christians have not been radical enough. For fear of “going too far” many of us have not gone far enough!
Recently, Open Air Outreach has had a specialized banner made for open air preaching.
The front side reads:
TURN
To
JESUS
And
LIVE
And the backside reads:
REPENT
And
BELIEVE
On
JESUS
The reason we have done this is because we know that there are some people who will not take a gospel tract, will not stop and listen to an open air sermon, but will read a banner or sign to see what it says. There are some people who would otherwise gone almost entirely un-reached if it were not for signs & banners. Though these signs and banners may seem foolish and stupid to some, there is no denying that they get the job done – which is getting the Word out, making it available.
A banner that simply reads, “Fear God” may awaken a careless sinner out of his carnal security, and a simply sign that says, “Trust Jesus” may deeply impact a person who is lost and looking for help and hope.
When open air preaching is not available, but only tracts and one2one is which reaches individuals, but you want to reach the multitudes with the message of God, signs and banners will do the job. Signs and banners are also helpful in street meetings, not only because they get the word out, but also because they bring more attention to the street meeting, so an open air meeting that otherwise would have gone unnoticed by many, can now be a blessing to more.
I know that there are some sincere Christians, genuine ministries, and serious open air preachers who are not in favor with the usage of signs and banners. Often the word “offensive” is brought up in an argument against the usage of them. This is possibly the most common objection.
Suppose McDonalds had a banner made to display outside of their store (though they already have a sign which says McDonalds) which said, “FREE BURGERS ALL DAY ONLY AT MCDONALDS!” No offense would be taken by anyone, but rather much rejoicing would be going on all around. But suppose a Pastor had a banner made for outside his Church which said, “ETERNAL LIFE FREELY GIVEN ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST” certainly elders or church members might seek to counsel the pastor on a more effective way to reach people.
The excuse that, “it’s not the message as much as it’s the method that’s offensive and turns people off.” But as the McDonalds illustration showed, it’s really not the method at all but is the message which people will say is offensive.
Of course as Christians we must preach Jesus Christ, eternal life, and forgiveness in His blood alone even if others claim it’s offensive, because God commands us to do so.
But in reality the world uses signs and banners all the time and few if any are offended at all. Next time you drive through the streets of a city, see if you can count how many signs promoting stores and products you can count. Even the government uses signs to help promote safety and order in the streets. A simple read sign that reads, “Stop” has saved millions upon millions of lives.
I recently read a billboard that read, “Does advertising work? It just did.” Though we are not to simply mimic and imitate the world and copy their methods and techniques, neither are we to throw away simple common sense.
If the business men can use signs to get their message out, and the government uses signs to save lives, and if Churches can use signs to promote their Sunday services, then certainly street preachers can use signs to preach and promote the Kingdom of God.
So the world and the government will use signs because they work, they get their message out and they help to save lives. Is it then any real wonder as to why the devil will tell the Church today not to use signs and banners? Because if we did, the word would get out, multitudes would know the message of God, and souls would be saved.
Another common objection is, “But I have seen signs of some preachers that I completely disagree with and I think were just terrible.” My response is, so? I have seen some preachers preach sermons that I thought were of the devil. Should I then put off preaching and strongly be against sermons? The answer is clearly and simply no. Preaching and sermons are beneficial to the Kingdom of God, and so are signs and banners.
“But the approach is just too bold. You should slowly get into spiritual matters when evangelizing.” True, when you are witnessing one2one. However neither John the Baptist nor Jesus Christ did that when they open air preached. Rather they both started boldly by saying, “REPENT” before saying anything else. We are to be a light set up on a hill top, not to be hidden or dimmed.
Some are quick to object by saying, “Jesus didn’t use signs and banners.” I am then soon to reply, “Jesus didn’t use microphones or airplanes!” But preachers do not hesitate at purchasing and employing the best of the best sound equipment for their services and will jump at the chance to use a plane to travel the globe spreading their message. Just because something is not found in the bible does not mean that it’s anti-biblical, but rather could be considered extra-biblical, though helpful and blessed by God to spread biblical truth.
Though signs and banners may not make you a popular preacher, may not get you many speaking engagements, though your friends and family and even your own brethren will call you mad and crazy, I believe we can see revival and see the lost saved if we lay down our image and our reputation and simply seek to serve the King and spread the Kings Word!
A defense of using banners in open air preaching
Out of fear of being “too radical” I believe that we as Christians have not been radical enough. For fear of “going too far” many of us have not gone far enough!
Recently, Open Air Outreach has had a specialized banner made for open air preaching.
The front side reads:
TURN
To
JESUS
And
LIVE
And the backside reads:
REPENT
And
BELIEVE
On
JESUS
The reason we have done this is because we know that there are some people who will not take a gospel tract, will not stop and listen to an open air sermon, but will read a banner or sign to see what it says. There are some people who would otherwise gone almost entirely un-reached if it were not for signs & banners. Though these signs and banners may seem foolish and stupid to some, there is no denying that they get the job done – which is getting the Word out, making it available.
A banner that simply reads, “Fear God” may awaken a careless sinner out of his carnal security, and a simply sign that says, “Trust Jesus” may deeply impact a person who is lost and looking for help and hope.
When open air preaching is not available, but only tracts and one2one is which reaches individuals, but you want to reach the multitudes with the message of God, signs and banners will do the job. Signs and banners are also helpful in street meetings, not only because they get the word out, but also because they bring more attention to the street meeting, so an open air meeting that otherwise would have gone unnoticed by many, can now be a blessing to more.
I know that there are some sincere Christians, genuine ministries, and serious open air preachers who are not in favor with the usage of signs and banners. Often the word “offensive” is brought up in an argument against the usage of them. This is possibly the most common objection.
Suppose McDonalds had a banner made to display outside of their store (though they already have a sign which says McDonalds) which said, “FREE BURGERS ALL DAY ONLY AT MCDONALDS!” No offense would be taken by anyone, but rather much rejoicing would be going on all around. But suppose a Pastor had a banner made for outside his Church which said, “ETERNAL LIFE FREELY GIVEN ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST” certainly elders or church members might seek to counsel the pastor on a more effective way to reach people.
The excuse that, “it’s not the message as much as it’s the method that’s offensive and turns people off.” But as the McDonalds illustration showed, it’s really not the method at all but is the message which people will say is offensive.
Of course as Christians we must preach Jesus Christ, eternal life, and forgiveness in His blood alone even if others claim it’s offensive, because God commands us to do so.
But in reality the world uses signs and banners all the time and few if any are offended at all. Next time you drive through the streets of a city, see if you can count how many signs promoting stores and products you can count. Even the government uses signs to help promote safety and order in the streets. A simple read sign that reads, “Stop” has saved millions upon millions of lives.
I recently read a billboard that read, “Does advertising work? It just did.” Though we are not to simply mimic and imitate the world and copy their methods and techniques, neither are we to throw away simple common sense.
If the business men can use signs to get their message out, and the government uses signs to save lives, and if Churches can use signs to promote their Sunday services, then certainly street preachers can use signs to preach and promote the Kingdom of God.
So the world and the government will use signs because they work, they get their message out and they help to save lives. Is it then any real wonder as to why the devil will tell the Church today not to use signs and banners? Because if we did, the word would get out, multitudes would know the message of God, and souls would be saved.
Another common objection is, “But I have seen signs of some preachers that I completely disagree with and I think were just terrible.” My response is, so? I have seen some preachers preach sermons that I thought were of the devil. Should I then put off preaching and strongly be against sermons? The answer is clearly and simply no. Preaching and sermons are beneficial to the Kingdom of God, and so are signs and banners.
“But the approach is just too bold. You should slowly get into spiritual matters when evangelizing.” True, when you are witnessing one2one. However neither John the Baptist nor Jesus Christ did that when they open air preached. Rather they both started boldly by saying, “REPENT” before saying anything else. We are to be a light set up on a hill top, not to be hidden or dimmed.
Some are quick to object by saying, “Jesus didn’t use signs and banners.” I am then soon to reply, “Jesus didn’t use microphones or airplanes!” But preachers do not hesitate at purchasing and employing the best of the best sound equipment for their services and will jump at the chance to use a plane to travel the globe spreading their message. Just because something is not found in the bible does not mean that it’s anti-biblical, but rather could be considered extra-biblical, though helpful and blessed by God to spread biblical truth.
Though signs and banners may not make you a popular preacher, may not get you many speaking engagements, though your friends and family and even your own brethren will call you mad and crazy, I believe we can see revival and see the lost saved if we lay down our image and our reputation and simply seek to serve the King and spread the Kings Word!